NYRI power line application rejected for third time

Saturday

Jun 28, 2008 at 12:01 AMJun 28, 2008 at 10:12 PM

For the third time, New York Regional Interconnect’s application to run a power line from Marcy to downstate has been sent back for revisions, according to a state Public Service Commission document dated Thursday.

Chinki Sinha

For the third time, New York Regional Interconnect’s application to run a power line from Marcy to downstate has been sent back for revisions, according to a state Public Service Commission document dated Thursday.

Many of the commission’s concerns are similar to previous rejections, including the lack of information on the historic landscapes listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places along the proposed route.

In February, the commission asked NYRI to provide supplemental information for the second time after the application was sent back for the first time in 2004.

NYRI will resubmit its application with supplemental information in the coming weeks, NYRI spokesman David Kalson said Friday.

“This was a deficiency letter. I anticipate it should all be taken care of in the coming weeks,” he said.

Until the application is deemed complete, the commission’s formal review process can’t start.

For those opposed to the power line, such as Cassville resident Marina Latella of the Upstate New York Citizens Alliance, it is another victory.

“That goes to show you they are not doing things in the interest of the people,” Latella said. “If I were them, I would be embarrassed to apply again.”

Residents along the proposed route have opposed the power line, fearing its impact on their health and housing prices.

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said in a statement Friday the latest rejection emphasizes that NYRI’s project is flawed.

“It’s another small victory,” he said. “If NYRI is trying to ignore, circumvent or seek to be granted an exemption from the process, then the (commission) must continue to reject their continued motions until NYRI complies.”